right angle

noun

1. the angle formed by two radii of a circle that are drawn to the extremities of an arc equal to one quarter of the circle; the angle formed by two perpendicular lines that intersect; an angle of 90°.

right angle

noun

1. the angle between two radii of a circle that cut off on the circumference an arc equal in length to one quarter of the circumference; an angle of 90° or π/2 radians

2. perpendicular or perpendicularly

right angle

1. An angle having a measure of 90°.

right angle

1. An angle measuring ninety degrees, formed by the intersection of two perpendicular lines. (Compare acute angle and obtuse angle.)

Other Word Forms

• right-angled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of right angle¹

Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400

Example Sentences

His design was playful, full of color and pattern, and without right angles.

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“There’s barely a right angle on the entire property. Everything’s amorphous in shape.”

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We’ve all witnessed a photo shoot where the subjects keep checking to see if they have the right angle and pose to share online, once they blur out any imperfections.

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Gagarin had to hit the layer of gases surrounding Earth at just the right angle.

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It goes up and over the top rather than around the side, travelling at a right angle to the carousel-like path we normally find.

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